Albion Under-21s have a trip to Liverpool to look forward to on Sunday afternoon (2pm).
The Baggies are searching for their first Premier League 2 win in 2026 and rank bottom of the table across the Category One clubs nationally.
Though Downing’s young charges have seen plenty of setbacks this season, their spirited displays in cup performances have been apparent - creating confidence they can carry this into the league format during the final eight games of the campaign.
Last time out
The Baggies were beaten by Nottingham Forest in the league format last weekend.
David Modupe’s strike was the difference between the sides in the East Midlands on Saturday.
Venue
Liverpool’s Academy site will play host to Downing's hopefuls on Sunday afternoon.
On their last visit to Merseyside, Albion beat the Reds’ youngsters 5-0 in January 2025.
Pre-match thoughts
With the U21s currently sat bottom of the PL2 standings and the lowest scorers in the division, there’s an endeavour to improve on the goalscoring front.
Full-back Alfie Maughan believes he can help remedy their troubles in front of goal, having notched 14 assists for Chay Thompson’s 18s thus far, where he also donned the captain’s armband for both of the club’s FA Youth Cup matches.
Since signing his first professional deal in the summer, the 17-year-old has progressed to earn regular PL2 minutes - where the defender now hopes to provide an attacking outlet on his familiar right flank.
The young pros, like Eric Ramsay’s first team, have also seen a switch in formation from a three-at-the-back shape of late, to a four-man defence and for Maughan, regardless of positioning - it’s “important” to “contribute” where he can.
He said: “We had a few chances against Nottingham Forest last week. We could’ve won the game and now we’ve had chance to reflect on it, we’ve been focusing on our work at the top of the pitch.
“We need to try and get some points on the board when we go to Liverpool. We’ve got to keep trying to grind out those clean sheets and then, in the final third, continue creating chances and the goals will come.
“It’s important for me to keep pushing and trying to get my starts in the 21s. It’s a big step from the 18s and a step closer to where I want to be. I just need to keep adding to my game and getting those assists.
“I find it natural to get around the lads and show personality, be a character around the place, because it adds to you as a person and it’s important I carry those traits into my performances the 21s.
“I think the lads in the 21s trust me from playing with them last year. Playing at wing-back allows me to get forward more and I want to keep adding assists to my tally where I can and being in areas that impact the opposition and cause problems.
“In the back four, it allows us to be more stable and allows you to work on the defensive side more. I’m happy to help my team out in whichever formation we’re playing in.
“When I get forwards, I like to assess how many players are in the box and it’s important to deliver with quality and cause problems for the opposition. I want to add to my assist tally this season, and now my challenge is to add that to the 21s games and help them out where I can.
“We need to score more goals and if I can create in the final third, then it’s important I can contribute.
"Liverpool will be a tough game for us, but we’ll try and get after them to get the three points we need.”
How to follow
Updates will be provided on Albion's social media channels, including starting XI, kick off, half-time and full-time posts.
A report from the match will be available on the club website in the coming days.
